Udaipur Tour Package Get Free Travel Plan from Experts before you plan your trip to udaipur. we will provide details on things to do hotels vacation rental and all details for you to have a trip to udaipur Get Discount Tour Itinerary to udaipur. The capital of the former princly state of Mewar, is a beautiful city in Rajasthan, India famous for its lakes and palaces. A current tourist favorite, especially for up-market Westerners, it was a backdrop for numerous movies including the James Bond flick “Octopussy”. Udaipur is referred to as the “Venice of the East”, the “Most Romantic City of India” and the “Kashmir of Rajasthan” (a reference to Dal Lake) and not without reason. Tourists flock to this enchanting old & modern town in the heart of the Aravalli Mountains, which offers three interconnected lakes within the town – the Fateh Sagar Lake, the Lake Pichhola and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake; along with forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow lanes lines withdrawn with stalls, relives the reminisces of a heroic past, valor and chivalry.

By Road

Udaipur is connected by an efficient bus service with most Rajasthani towns including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu. Buses also head south to Ahmedabad with connections to Mumbai but it is not a short journey. There are comfortable sleeper coaches available for longer trips. The city lies on the Golden Quadrilateral, midway between Delhi and Mumbai National Highway (NH) 8; it is around 700km from either metro. The roads in this part of the country are paved and fit for private vehicles. You can easily visit Udaipur by hiring a car to drive. There are many car rental companies available which provides cars on rent. You would require to submit the photocopy of your international driver’s license to rent vehicles. Prices depend on the kind of transport you rent and the length of time you rent it for.

What to See in Udaipur

Udaipur offers numerous tourist attractions to gratify the thirst of tourists. Places of interest could be different for different persons. The beautiful palaces of the city depict the lavish lifestyle of the ancient rulers. The temples of Udaipur are known for their striking architecture and impressive structures. The gardens of Udaipur would definitely help you to lighten up with their refreshing appeal. Apart from these, the city has one of the best solar observatory worth visiting.

Udaipur City Palace

The splendid City Palace, posing over the fascinating Lake Pichola, is one of the most beautiful palatial structures. The elegant palace originally built by Mahrana Uday Singh II rises 30 meters above Lake Pichola and extends up to 244 meters.

The City Palace of Udaipur has number of small and big palaces, museums and the gardens. There are many popular palaces inside the City Palace Complex. The unique aspect of this conglomeration is that the architectural design (a rich blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture) is distinctly homogeneous and eye catching.

Key destinations in City Palace

• Amar Vilas – The uppermost court inside the complex, which is a raised garden. It provides entry to the Badi Mahal. It is a pleasure pavilion built in Mughal style. It has cusped arcades enclosing a square marble tub. ‘Amar Vilas’ is the highest point of the City palace and has wonderful hanging gardens with fountains, towers and terraces.

• Badi Mahal – Also known as Garden Palace is the exotic central garden palace that is situated on a 27 metres (89 ft) high natural rock formation vis-a-vis the rest of the palace. The rooms on the ground floor appear to be at the level of the fourth floor in view of the height difference to its surrounding buildings.

• Durbar Hall – Built in 1909 within the Fatepraksh Palace (now a heritage hotel), the hall was used by the royal ladies to observe the court proceedings. This hall has luxuriant interion with some unusually large chandeliers. Weapons of the maharanas and also some of their unique portraits are also depcited here.

• Fatehprakash Palace – Now run as luxury hotel and inaccessible to public viewing has a crystal gallery that consists of crystal chairs, dressig tables, sofas, tables, chairs and beds, crockery, table fountains which were never used. There is also a unique jewel studded carpet here.

• Jagadish Temple – Located 150m north of the palace in Indo-Aryan architectural style, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple walls and the shikara or tower are decorated with carvings of Vishnu, scenes from Lord Krishna’s life and figurines of nymphs or apsaras. The street square, where the temple is located, is also known as Jagdish Chowk from where several roads radiate in different directions.

• Krishna Vilas – Another chamber in Fatehprakash Palance with rich collection of miniature paintings that portray royal processions, festivals and games of the Maharanas. However, there is tragic story linked to this wing of the City Palace. In the nineteenth century, a royal princess was unable to choose from two suitors seeking her hand in marriage, one from the royal family of Jaipur and another from Jodhpur, and hence in a state of dilemma, she poisoned herself to death.

• Manak Mahal – Approach from the Manak Chowk, the palace has a raised alcove inlaid completely in mirror glass. One of the prominent emblems of Sun is depicted on the façade of the Manak Chowk, which can also be seen from the outermost court.

• Mor Chowk or Peacock Square – A pillared hall with glass and mirror mosaic decorations is integral to the inner courts of the palace. The elaborate design of this chamber consists of three peacocks (representing the three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon) modeled in high relief and faced with coloured glass mosaic, built into successive niches in the wall area or jharoka. These were built during Maharana Sajjan Singh’s reign, 200 years after the palace was established. The peacocks have been crafted with 5000 pieces of glass, which shine in green, gold and blue colours. In an adjoining chamber, called the Kanch-ki-Burj, mosaic of mirrors adorn the walls. The Badi Charur Chowk within this chowk is a smaller court for private use. Its screen wall has painted and inlaid compositions depicting European men and Indian women.

• Zenana Mahal or Women’s Palace – Proceeding further from the Mor Chowk, in the Zenana Mahal or women’s quarters (now converted into museum) is exquisitely designed alcoves, balconies, coloured windows, tiled walls and floors are seen.

• Rang Bhawan – The palace that used to contain royal treasure. There are temples of Lord Krishna, Meerabai and Shiva, located here.

• Sheesh Mahal – The palace of mirrors and glasses was built in 1716. A shrine of Dhuni Mata is also located in the complex. This location is considered as the oldest part of the Palace, where a sage spent his entire life meditating.

• Saheliyon ki Badi – Built by Maharana Bhopal Singh. Saheliyon ki Bari means Garden of the Maids. This garden area lies in northern part of the city and has fountains and kiosks, a lotus pool and marble elephants. Each water channel has its distinct sound and the mingling of these sounds complement the ambience of the place. There is also a small museum here. Sahelion Ki Bari’ was laid for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry.

• Sukhadia Circle – A large roundabout in the city’s northern suburb of Panchwati, on the road to Ranakpur and Mt. Abu. centrepiece of the Circle is a large, three-tiered fountain just over 21 m. high, with scalloped dishes surmounted by a wheat-ear motif, representing prosperity. Illuminated at night, it is now a well-known landmark.

• Udaipur Solar Observatory – Located on an island in the Fateh Sagar Lake, the observatory is claimed to be one of the Asia’s largest. The observatory was built in the year 1976 by Dr. Arvind Bhatanagar following the model of the Solar Observatory at Big Bear lake in Southern California.

• Gulab Bagh and Zoo – A rose garden laid out by Maharaja Sajjan Singh is situated near the palace on the east side of Lake Pichhola. A library in the garden has a collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books. Within the garden, there is a zoo with tigers, leopards, chinkara gazelle, birds, and many wild animals. Children can enjoy mini train, track of which covers the main part of the garden and the zoo.

• Doodh Talai – A rock and fountain garden and the sunset point from which one can enjoy the sunset view in Lake Pichhola and a panoramic view of the old city. Also one can enjoy the Aerial tramway (rope way) which connects one of the dudh talai gardens to Karni Mata temple.

• Nehru Garden – This is a park situated in the middle of Fateh Sager Lake. This park covers about 41 acres (170,000 m2), with flower gardens and a lily pond. It was inaugurated on the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The garden overlooks the ancient Moti Mahal of Maharana Pratap and gives a view of the Aravalli hills on three sides.

• Bagore-ki-Haveli – An old building built right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat. Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar, built it in the eighteenth century. The palace has over a hundred rooms, with displays of costumes and modern art. The building has a large and exquisite collection of Mewar painting and glassworks.

• Ahar Museum – The Ahar Cenotaphs are a group of royal cenotaphs located in Ahar, about 2km east of Udaipur. The site contains more than 250 cenotaphs of the maharajas of Mewar that were built over approximately 350 years. There are 19 chhatris that commemorate the 19 maharajas who were cremated here.

• Aapni Dhani – A very good place to spend your evening. This place has a small zoo, magic show, puppet show, nat ka tamasha, dance shows and to top it all a nice Rajasthani dinner – unlimited of course. The ticket is about Rs 250 per person. The shows start in the evening around 5-6 pm.

Things To Do & Attractions In Udaipur

Horseback riding

What camel riding is in Jaisalmer, horseback riding is in Udaipur, a must! Situated in the middle of the Aravalli-Mountains, Udaipur offers a fantastic landscape and unrivaled views.

Camel Riding

Camel Safari is another feature of entertainment in Udaipur and would be really a memorable experience for you. Tourists usually enjoy this unusual ride mounting on the back of camels roaming in the deserts of Rajasthan. The adventurous Camel Safari will acquire your one whole day. In this expedition, you will start from a definite point in the city and get into the interiors of the desert.

Puppet Show

Puppet shows make the best part of Udaipur recreation. Being an inseparable aspect of Rajasthani culture, Puppet shows of Udaipur are really captivating. These shows are arranged by the Hotels to entertain their guests during their stay. Otherwise, you can always go to Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum to enjoy the exclusive puppet show in the evenings.

Theatre Shows

You could go to Chetak and Swapnalok theatre that are located near Chetak Circle. Other options could be Ashoka theatre and Picture Palace in Surajpol. There is also a new PVR cinema located in the Celebration Mall – try the ‘first class’ seating for a cinema experience that you can’t get in the West!

Cultural Shows

There is a dance and puppet show at the Bagore-ki-Haveli, which is located near Gangaur Ghat in the heart of the old city. It starts nightly at 7 pm. Charge 60rs + 40 for camera. The show demonstrates many dying tribal rituals of Rajasthan.

Ropeway in Udaipur

Spend the evening overlooking the city lights from the high altitude. Udaipur’s ropeway servicces gives a chance to have bird’s view of the entire city. Recently started Karni Mata Ropeway has been getting popular amongst domestic and international tourists. Its a ride of about 500m from Doodh Talai Garden to Ropeway junction (to the adjacent hill)

Quick Destination Guide

• Ahar Cenotaphs and Museum
• Bagore-ki-Haveli
• Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
• City Palace and Museum
• Dudh Talai
• Fateh Sagar Lake
• Gulab Bagh and Zoo
• Jag Mandir And Lake Pichola
• Jagdish Temple
• Maharana Pratap Memorial
• Neemach Mata Temple
• Nehru Garden
• Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral
• Ranakpur Temples Tour
• Saheliyon-ki-Bari
• Sajjangarh Fort
• Shilpgram
• Sukhadia Circle
• Swaroop Sagar Lake
• Udai Sagar Lake